ANN is pleased to offer you yet another snippet from the public
conversations that took place with Bob Hoover at AirVenture 2011...
where he was honored for a lifetime of aviation excellence. In this
program, Bob continues his discussion about his life in aviation,
in a segment entitled, 'Getting a Little Help Along the Way.'

Ask any pilot who he (or she) thinks is the best he ever saw and
depending on how long they've been in the business, the answers
might surprise you... BUT, for anyone who had the grand opportunity
to see much of the Golden Age of GA, its hard to forget the grace
and professionalism exhibited by Robert A. "Bob" Hoover -- a man
whom many have no hesitation calling the best they ever saw.

Bob did it all... he was a fighter pilot, test pilot, airshow
pilot and all-around nice guy... and virtually any conversation
that involves this gentleman mentions two thing... the seemingly
effortless skill he displayed in the air and the kind, good manner
he displayed wit all he has met. Bob not only proved himself to be
a living legend, he is certainly one of the nicest guys we have
ever met.

Later this month, January 24, 2012, to be exact, Bob will
celebrate his 90th birthday. As one of our dearest friends, we can
only wish him many more happy years amongst us... and celebrate an
amazing life that serves a lesson to us all... that truly great men
have taken on the role of pilots... but few of them have done so
with the good grace and manners of Bob Hoover.

Of all the wonderful honors I have had in this life, few could
equal the words I heard again and again over the last few
decades... and most recently at the 2011 AirVenture event that
celebrated his life so well and visibly... "Jim Campbell, my old
friend!" Yeah... that has quite a nice ring to it... eh?

Herewith, let's spend a few moments with Bob at AirVenture
2011... where he was clearly having a ball telling the tales of a
life well-lived.